What can I do? Let's train some modal verbs which I have trouble. :) Can, could and (be) able to. So If I understand it well.. I can swim, I could swim and I am able to swim, means the same without difference in grammar. Am I right? Could can also be used as a past of can. So that means: At the age of ten, I could ride a bike well. Or I spent nice holiday in Scotland. I could see the lake and highlands from the caravan. I could also see hard working people in the fields. Now the harder part. Was/Were able to or managed to. Grammar book says that I can use it in specific situations which happened. E.g. The car started to burn, but everybody around it managed to escape to the safe distance. And now "couldn't". :) It can be used in every negative situation. E.g. I studied hard, but I couldn't pass an exam.; Alena couldn't speak English fluently. Just correct me. Thanks. :) Pavel